Social aggregation targeting and communications

Abstract

The present invention provides techniques for utilizing opportunities presented by events and social gatherings, such as online advertisement targeting and communications-related opportunities. Techniques are provided in which information is obtained that provides an indication that a set of users, including mobile electronic device users, are in a specified area, and indicating that at least some of the set of users are at a particular event or gathering. A virtual user grouping may be formed, and users of the set are targeted, such as with online advertisements, based at least in part on the particular event or gathering.

1 . A method comprising:
 using one or more computers, obtaining a first set of information providing an indication that each of a set of users is within a specified area, wherein at least some of the set of users are mobile electronic device users;   using one or more computers, obtaining a second set of information providing an indication that at least some of the set of users are at a particular event or gathering; and   using one or more computers, targeting at least some of the set of users with at least one online advertisement, wherein the targeting is based at least in part on the particular event or gathering.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising forming a virtual grouping of users in the specified area, and comprising utilizing the grouping in facilitating providing advertisements to at least some of the set of users. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising forming a virtual grouping of users in the specified area, and comprising utilizing the grouping in facilitating providing advertisements to at least some of the set of users, wherein the advertisements relate to the particular event or gathering or one or more subjects of the particular event or gathering, and wherein users determined to enter the specified area after formation of the grouping can be invited to join the grouping, and wherein users leaving the specified area can be removed from the grouping, and wherein the grouping is removed if fewer than a specified number of users are determined to be in the specified area. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising forming a virtual grouping of users in the specified area, and comprising utilizing the grouping in facilitating allowing, or making more convenient, communications between users in the grouping. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the first set of information comprises utilizing information relating to locations of the mobile electronic devices. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the first set of information comprises utilizing information relating to locations of the mobile electronic devices and information relating to locations of desktop computers. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising forming a virtual grouping of users in the specified area, wherein the grouping remains during a period of time during which one or more threshold parameters appear to be satisfied, and wherein at least one of threshold parameters specifies a minimum number of users being in the specified area. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising forming a virtual grouping of users in the specified area, wherein the grouping remains during a period of time during which one or more threshold parameters appear to be satisfied, and wherein at least one of threshold parameters specifies a minimum number of users being in the specified area, and wherein parameter information, including number of users in the specified area, is obtained at periodic intervals. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the second set of information comprises obtaining information relating to time and duration of stay, of at least some of the set of users within the specified area. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the second set of information comprises obtaining information relating to time and duration of stay, of at least some of the set of users within the specified area reaching or exceeding a specified threshold. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the second set of information comprises obtaining information relating to time and duration of stay of at least some of the set of users within the specified area reaching or exceeding a specified threshold, and wherein at least one parameter of the threshold is associated with population density associated with a region including the specified area. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the second set of information comprises obtaining information regarding an event or gathering occurring at least partially within the specified area. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the second set of information comprises obtaining information regarding an event or gathering occurring at least partially within the specified area, and wherein information regarding the particular event or gathering is provided by an event or gathering planner. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising forming a virtual grouping of users in the specified area, and comprising the grouping in facilitating providing advertisements to at least some of the users, wherein the advertisements relate to the particular event or gathering or a subject of the particular event or gathering, and comprising facilitating allowing advertisers to bid for placement of the advertisements. 
     
     
         15 . A system comprising:
 one or more server computers coupled to a network; and   one or more databases coupled to the one or more server computers;   wherein the one or more server computers are for:
 obtaining, and storing in at least one of the one or more databases, a first set of information providing an indication that each of a set of users is within a specified area, wherein at least some of the set of users are mobile electronic device users; 
 obtaining, and storing in at least one of the one or more databases, a second set of information providing an indication that at least some of the set of users are at a particular event or gathering; and 
 targeting at least some of the set of users with at least one online advertisement, wherein the targeting is based at least in part on the particular event or gathering. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , comprising forming a virtual grouping of users in the specified area, and comprising utilizing the grouping in facilitating providing advertisements to at least some of the users. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , comprising forming a virtual grouping of users in the specified area, and comprising utilizing the grouping in facilitating providing advertisements to at least some of the set of users, wherein the advertisements relate to the particular event or gathering or one or more subjects of the particular event or gathering, and wherein users determined to enter the specified area after formation of the grouping can be invited to join the grouping, and wherein users leaving the specified area can be removed from the grouping, and wherein the grouping is removed if fewer than a specified number of users are determined to be in the specified area. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , comprising forming a virtual grouping of users in the specified area, and comprising utilizing the grouping in facilitating, allowing, or making more convenient communications between users in the grouping. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein obtaining the first set of information comprises utilizing information relating to locations of the mobile electronic devices. 
     
     
         20 . A computer readable medium or media containing instructions for executing a method comprising:
 using one or more computers, obtaining a first set of information providing an indication that each of a set of users is within a specified area, wherein at least some of the set of users are mobile electronic device users;   using one or more computers, obtaining a second set of information providing an indication that at least some of the set of users are at a particular event or gathering; and   using one or more computers, targeting at least some of the set of users with at least one online advertisement, wherein the targeting is based at least in part on the particular event or gathering;
 comprising forming a virtual grouping of users in the specified area, and comprising utilizing the grouping in facilitating providing advertisements to at least some of the set of users, wherein the advertisements relate to the particular event or gathering or one or more subjects of the particular event or gathering, and wherein users determined to enter the specified area after formation of the grouping can be invited to join the grouping, and wherein users leaving the specified area can be removed from the grouping, and wherein the grouping is removed if fewer than a specified number of users are determined to be in the specified area.